The Oxford City Stars had only been formed the previous season, from which they had emerged as winners of the Second Division, thus ensuring promotion to the First Division this season.

The match programme said that Lions’ Manager, Mike Smith, was looking for “extra players of proven quality” and that it was hoped Scottish International, Kenny McKie, would soon be donning a Lions shirt. Kenny had secured his release from Peterborough and had been coaching the Pee Wee Wizards. He’d declared Lee Valley Ice Centre to be a “super rink” (so said the programme) but it obviously wasn’t super enough because I have no recollection of him ever icing for us.

Referee was Cotter, Linesmen were Harris and Bain.

The match programme of 27/09/86 contained a “Blast from the Past” column, author unknown, in which the following was shown for this Division One Trophy – South game:

“In a tight game the highlight was a goal by Janne, two seconds before the end of the first period. Seeing Barry Spours out of his crease he flipped the puck in the air and over the stunned goalie, to keep the Lions 4-3 ahead. The second period ended with the score at 5 apiece, but the Finns were too good for Oxford in the final stanza. John Heneghan made his debut.”